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The Regulars: The CarpenterJessica Christian

"That's what I'm getting nervous about," she says.

"Jasmine, he is not involved. He's just having sex."

"But. . . ."

"He's not involved," Pinsky insists. "How does that make you feel? Awful, I suspect. And that is the price you pay. You are subjugating yourself."

Within minutes after the show ends, Pinsky is out the door and on his way home to nearby Pasadena, where the University of Southern California-trained internist has a private medical practice and is director of the chemical dependency unit at Las Encinas Hospital, a substance abuse and mental health treatment facility.

If that were not enough to keep him busy, Pinsky also co-hosts a version of "Loveline" on MTV. The highly popular MTV program also features comedian Adam Carolla -- a caustic and witty co-host who relishes the outrageous -- along with newcomer Diane Farr, an actress and model.

There is a constant sense of urgency about Pinsky. But then, at age 41, he may be the only medical doctor in America that teenagers want to talk -- and listen -- to. And listen they do. His late-night radio show (Sunday-Thursday ), based at Los Angeles station KROQ-FM, attracts about 2 million listeners nationally. And MTV's "Loveline" is the top-rated cable program in its late-night time slot, Monday-Friday.

As the voice of medical reason amid a cacophony of bizarre and racy questions and raunchy jokes, Pinsky does not have an easy task. But his reach and influence continue to grow: He has a new book co-written with Carolla, a magazine column, is developing a Web site and has visions of his own daytime TV talk show.

All this makes Dr. Drew someone parents, if they haven't already heard of him, should know about.

"I doubt there is anyone in the country more in position to reach out and connect with young people," says Drew Altman, director of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health organization.

Parents who tune in to the radio version of "Loveline" or watch the MTV show may be a little shocked at the idea that this is the source of information for America's youth on the delicate topic of sex. With Carolla at the helm, "Loveline" is a raucous event that, at its worst, borders on degrading, and, at its best, provides vital information on sexual health.

"Loveline's" heavy dose of titillation draws in young people who, Pinsky hopes, will soak up some useful information in the process.

"You put me in a box in a white coat, do you think anybody under 20 is going to hear a word I say?" notes Pinsky.

Letty Ramirez, a counselor at a Los Angeles community health clinic, began listening to "Loveline" at age 14, lured by the fact that "I wasn't supposed to be listening to it."

"Me and my little brother used to sneak the radio into my room and listen to it late at night," she recalls.

After years of tuning in to Dr. Drew, Ramirez, now 23, describes the show's appeal: "I think kids listen to it because they know Adam is going to say something perverted. But then, they end up learning something. . . .

"Sometimes Adam says, 'What are you talking about? Shut up.' But that's part of their charm," Ramirez explains. "Dr. Drew then disagrees and says, 'This is the way it is. . . .' "

Earning the right to rule over the typically unruly did not come easy for Pinsky. It comes after 15 years of practicing medicine and a seven-year stint in which he did the "Loveline" show on radio for no pay. He is now paid for both the radio and TV programs.

Pinsky seems both thrilled with his media stardom and concerned about looking too happy in front of his conservative brethren in medicine.

"The work is having a life of its own, and it's delightful, and I'm so grateful. It's a great adventure," says Pinsky, who is married and has 6-year-old triplets.

With his graying hair, scholarly wire-rimmed glasses, business attire and rather stiff manner, Pinsky is cut more in the mold of Dr. Welby than, say, Dr. Ruth. On the MTV "Loveline" program, he sometimes looks visibly uncomfortable with the subject matter. (Like, for example, when co-host Carolla discusses the joys of masturbation.)

Carolla, however, seems to know when to curb his amusing monologues and let Pinsky dole out some advice.

"Drew likes to be modest, but Drew does this better than anybody else does it," says Carolla, who has been the "Loveline" co-host since 1996. "And not only is he better than these people (other radio talk show hosts who are doctors) but he's the genuine article. He's a doctor. He practices. He's completely dedicated to his profession. He's not the 'Love Doctor.' He's not some guy who quit medicine eight years ago and has since been working on head shots and (his) resume and working with publicists. He's not about that stuff."

While Dr. Ruth's credo of the '80s was a lighthearted "Go have good sex," Pinsky's overarching theme is: Search for intimacy and be cautious about sex. He frequently complains about girls' lack of protection from men who want only sex.

Sarah, 14, leads off the radio show one night with this concern: "My brother-in-law is constantly touching me."

Carolla, who often responds to sensitive questions with jokes or insults to lighten the atmosphere, remarks: "That's totally healthy, isn't it, Drew?"

Sarah goes on to say that her brother-in-law is 40, that her mom seems unconcerned and that she is afraid to tell her dad. The pair encourage Sarah to tell her father.

Pinsky: "He's not behaving appropriately, and it's not your fault."

While Sarah's call is typical of the more-serious tone of the radio show, the MTV version seems intent on providing viewers with a good time.

Donovan, 19, is confessing before a national audience that he found out a former sexual partner has been diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.

"What are my chances I could have an STD?" he asks.

After having just endured a series of questions on sexual threesomes, untimely erections and the plight of identical twins who have different breast sizes, Pinsky seizes the opportunity to inform.

"We know if someone has one STD, they are more likely to have another one," he says.

Carolla interjects with: "Drew, can crabs get herpes?"

Pinsky ignores him and goes on.

"If someone has multiple STDs it's a real worry to me that they could have HIV. It's unlikely you've contracted it. But it's a rational concern."

He advises Donovan to get tested, describes the latest HIV test that requires only a saliva sample and discusses the importance of early identification of HIV.

Pinsky insists that he doesn't pretend to be a sex expert. He prefers to deflect the most direct questions about sex and focuses on issues related to intimacy and relationships.

He uses that approach with Stacy, 20, who calls in to ask if it's OK to have sex with a 16-year-old friend even though she is engaged to someone else. Pinsky questions her and draws out an admission that she has a mentally ill mother, has been physically abused and is not sure she should get married.

"This show is about me coming to a diagnostic conclusion very quickly . . . and then referring it on to some place where they can actually get treatment," Pinsky says.